§ Mr. BOWERMANasked the President of the Board of Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the decrease in the price of meat owing to unrestricted supplies of beef arriving in this country, consequent upon the breakdown of the restrictions upon the quantities allowed to be shipped to English ports by the combination known as the Beef Trust; and whether he will consider the propriety of removing the restriction upon the importation of live cattle for slaughter in order that prices may be still further lowered in the interest of the consumer?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe present restrictions upon the importation of live cattle into the United Kingdom from foreign countries are maintained in the interests not only of agriculturists but of the whole community. The danger of diminishing the supply and increasing the cost of milk and home-grown beef through the introduction of disease from abroad is the paramount consideration, and I am satisfied from the information in my posession that the course suggested by my hon. Friend could not safely be adopted.